Management of ACE Air Manifest Problems Differs by Port

CBP will begin use of a "revised Downtime Authorization form" at the Port of New York to avoid some of the problems related to the use of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) for air manifests, said the CBP's New York office in a June 19 informational pipeline. The form "authorizes both transfers and releases in a single authorization, thereby eliminating a duplication in processing," said the agency. The ACE manifest system "continues to experience some performance issues in transmitting messages to the trade community," though it is "steadily improving," said CBP. The New York work-around differs from the revised procedures in Los Angeles (see 1506190022).

CBP will not issue a national policy for handling such delays, CBP told Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations members during a recent conference call. CBP explained that the processes may differ between the ports "because each port is dynamic," said Avalon Risk Management in an emailed description of the call (here). "Local guidance should be given and each port will determine how long they will honor these interim procedures," the company said. CBP also said it would continue to focus cargo holds on goods that include possible health and safety concerns and shipments suspected of narcotics or contraband, said Avalon.

CBP also "indicated" it won't issue certain liquidated damages for violations related to the transition problems, Avalon said. "If you receive any liquidated damage claims during ACE conversion that began on June 6, 2015, and continues until technical issues are fully resolved, it is important to maintain your records so these claims can be cancelled and/or petitioned as necessary," the company said.

CBP planned to deploy two fixes to ACE Air Manifest June 19 and will keep its "war room" maintained through June 24, it said in a CSMS message (here). The agency told the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America on June 21 that "the majority of the fixes were complete" and carriers reported few problems, said the NCBFAA (here). CBP didn't comment.

CBP will use the lessons it learned in ACE manifest "to prepare for future deployments in ACE that will impact Cargo Release," said Avalon. "CBP is striving to provide more communication and guidance for the trade to deal with ACE functionality as it is released and technical challenges that may develop in better laymen’s terms. Although ports will need to handle matters at a local level, CBP recognizes there must be consistent guidance provided at an HQ level." CBP continues to say it has contingency plans in the event of ACE transition problems so as not to force the use of paper filing (see 1506010042), though it is yet to provide specifics.

Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of the New York informational pipeline.